U.S. President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rohani spoke by phone on Friday, the highest-level contact between the two countries since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and a sign that both sides are serious about reaching a pact on Iran’s nuclear program.

The US and Iran communicate for the first time in 34 years

Obama had hoped to meet with Rohani earlier this week while both men were in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, but Iran decided a meeting would be too complicated.

A senior administration official said late Friday that the U.S. had communicated with the Israeli government about the phone conversation, Reuters reported. The Israeli government has every right to be skeptical of Iran’s government pledges to resolve international concerns over its nuclear program, the official said, and the administration intended to keep Israel informed as contacts with Iran continue.

“I reiterated to President Rohani what I said in New York. While there will surely be important obstacles to moving forward and success is by no means guaranteed, I believe we can reach a comprehensive solution,” Obama said at the White House.